Scyliorhinus capensis (Yellowspotted catshark)

(Smith, in Müller & Henle, 1838)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) >.Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Galeomorphii > Carcharhiniformes > Scyliorhinidae

Scyliorhinus capensis (Yellowspotted catshark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A handsome catshark with bright yellow or golden spots on a dark grey, barred body. 2nd dorsal fin much smaller than 1st.

Size

To 1.2 m TL.

Range

Almost entire coast from Lu"deritz to central Natal. Endemic.

Habitat

Shelf and upper slope at 26 to 495 m.

Biology

A common but little-known catshark, lays 1 egg per oviduct. Feeds on bony fish, including maasbanker, porcupine fish, horsefish, anchovies, round herring, and fish offal, also spiny dogfish, crabs, hermit crabs, shrimp, mantis shrimp, mud shrimp, amphipods, isopods, lobsters, squid, octopi, cuttlefish, and polychaete worms. Wraps itself into a tight coil when caught.

Human Impact

Often taken by trawlers on the hake grounds, and sometimes by skiboat anglers.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale